The Department of Social Work organized a panel discussion on ‘For every child, every right’ in commemoration of World Children’s Day on 23 November 2023.
The first panellist, Mr. Anand Prokash Kanoo, Program Specialist, Risk and Resilience (Northeast India), UNICEF opened the floor for discussion on climate change and how it affects children. He showed statistics from around the world on how climate change is affecting vulnerable communities, specially children and further opined that Climate change poses significant challenges to children worldwide, impacting their lives in multifaceted ways. Understanding the implications of climate change on children is crucial for crafting effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The next panel discussion was on Primary health care and climate change, impact on child health led by Dr. Annapurna Kaul, Health Specialist, UNICEF Assam. Dr. Kaul gave the outlook that in societies worldwide, certain vulnerable groups, including children, women, the elderly, pregnant women, disabled and sick individuals, and those facing economic hardships, are disproportionately impacted by systemic challenges. These individuals often confront multifaceted barriers that impede their access to fundamental rights and opportunities. Children, the future torchbearers, are susceptible to the consequences of inadequate healthcare, education, and protection.
Mr. Suresh Parmar, Specialist, Social & Behaviour Change, UNICEF office Assam & NE states led the last panel discussion and he dwelled on three points – Information on SBCC; Principles of SBC; Study findings on role of Youth and CCES and Role of Youth.
Once the floor was opened for discussion, Ms. Jessica Mukhim, MSW 1st semester student shared about her experiences of being a member of “Scouting” and their involvement during the Covid-19 pandemic and their work on creating sustainable planet. Ms. Shanni, MA mass communication shared on her mitigation and adaptation strategies to decrease carbon footprints- “Fashion Capsule”. Mr. Sebastian shared about his work as part of “Green Commando” – an initiative of creating “Plastic Free Campus” and “Tobacco free Campus”. Mr. Monjib gave his perspectives on the way of life by Japanese: Life of Minimalistic.
A total of 92 students attended from the Department of Social Work, 20 from Mass Communication and 10 from the Department of Psychology.